DsMB to good the bad the ugly ?

stach · April 5th, 2007, 08:31 PM

whitch DSMB would you never buy again and whitch one would you recommend ?

I have 2 of them at the moment : a small open one from ralf tech and a bigger one with such an "airtrapping" system (once air in, it can't escape)

I'm not very happy with them so...

**neilh** · April 5th, 2007, 08:46 PM

I've got a Halcyon suit inflate one that personally I don't get on with. I just don't like disconnecting my suit inflate and having the SMB so close to me whilst inflating it. I know others get on just fine with them, but I just can't get on with it.

I have one of the DSS 1M SMBs that I love - it's not ideal for all weather, but so small and easy to use it's great

Lou · April 5th, 2007, 09:08 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by neilh)

I've got a Halcyon suit inflate one that personally I don't get on with. I just don't like disconnecting my suit inflate and having the SMB so close to me whilst inflating it. I know others get on just fine with them, but I just can't get on with it.

I have one of the DSS 1M SMBs that I love - it's not ideal for all weather, but so small and easy to use it's great

I'd never buy the Narked@60 one again - collects water and acts as a big old sea anchor.....

Diving Dave · April 5th, 2007, 11:18 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by stach)

whitch DSMB would you never buy again and whitch one would you recommend ?

I have the scubapro open ended one - deflates on the surface and is generally crap (never buy again):
SCUBAPRO UWATEC UK ~~ Product Range
And the Buddy which is fantastic - highly visible, easy to deploy and the baffle keeps it inflated at surface (would definately buy again):
A.P.Valves

stach · April 6th, 2007, 11:10 AM

it seems like that i'm not alone with the 'grr crapy dsmb' (can also be part of lack of skills from my side)

LCF · April 6th, 2007, 02:26 PM

I've used four different ones, one cheapy from my original LDS, one I think is Trident, one Zeagle, and one Halcyon, and unfortunately, I think the Halcyon one is the best. It can be orally inflated or inflated from the suit hose. It has a dump valve, which makes it easy to deflate and stow. The inflator doesn't require that you push it against your teeth to admit air, which I like, and it seems a little easier to get my cold, numb lips sealed around it.

cmalinowski · April 6th, 2007, 06:45 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by LCF)

I've used four different ones, one cheapy from my original LDS, one I think is Trident, one Zeagle, and one Halcyon, and unfortunately, I think the Halcyon one is the best. It can be orally inflated or inflated from the suit hose. It has a dump valve, which makes it easy to deflate and stow. The inflator doesn't require that you push it against your teeth to admit air, which I like, and it seems a little easier to get my cold, numb lips sealed around it.

Agreed. I did like the look of the DSS 1m one (tapered at the top) and almost bought one but I happened to be at Haclyon shop one day and picked up the halcyon. It's very easy to inflate and let go. I never use my suit inflator for it.

The only real complaint I have about it is that the bungee that holds it all together is on the wrong side. You have to put on and take off the bungee over the inflator. Not a big deal, but small things do add up and if you're diving with no gloves, then your pruny little hands might get nicked on the inflator... 99% of my dives are with gloves, so no big deal there for me

Chris

boomer · April 6th, 2007, 07:19 PM

I have the Halcyon large DAM and Lift bag and love them both. But I have no idea how after an afternnon of diving it is filled with water. nOt alot but enought to question how it got in there. This happens even when they are not even deployed.
Brian

Little Pete · April 6th, 2007, 11:20 PM

I use the standard Buddy semi closed and must say that it's the best £20 spent. A good size SMB that doesn't deflate, easily inflates without removing hoses and fits well in a pocket. Also, it costs about 1/3 of a Halcyon one so good for those on a budget.

Lukas · April 7th, 2007, 01:57 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Lou)

I'd never buy the Narked@60 one again - collects water and acts as a big old sea anchor.....

90...Narked@90

April 5th, 2007, 08:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
stach (Online) New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: belgium Posts: 78	DsMB to good the bad the ugly ? whitch DSMB would you never buy again and whitch one would you recommend ? I have 2 of them at the moment : a small open one from ralf tech and a bigger one with such an "airtrapping" system (once air in, it can't escape) I'm not very happy with them so...

April 5th, 2007, 11:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Diving Dave(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Muscat, Oman Posts: 116	Quote: (Originally Posted by stach) whitch DSMB would you never buy again and whitch one would you recommend ? I have the scubapro open ended one - deflates on the surface and is generally crap (never buy again): SCUBAPRO UWATEC UK ~~ Product Range And the Buddy which is fantastic - highly visible, easy to deploy and the baffle keeps it inflated at surface (would definately buy again): A.P.Valves __________________ Dave

April 6th, 2007, 11:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	I use the standard Buddy semi closed and must say that it's the best £20 spent. A good size SMB that doesn't deflate, easily inflates without removing hoses and fits well in a pocket. Also, it costs about 1/3 of a Halcyon one so good for those on a budget. __________________ The shortesk pink mask wearing str#ke on DIRx apparently

April 7th, 2007, 01:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
Lukas(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 22	Quote: (Originally Posted by Lou) I'd never buy the Narked@60 one again - collects water and acts as a big old sea anchor..... 90...Narked@90 __________________ Thriving on diving Sometimes I just want to be a sleeping cow

April 5th, 2007, 08:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
neilh(Offline) Haemoglobin on the bus... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 1,900	I've got a Halcyon suit inflate one that personally I don't get on with. I just don't like disconnecting my suit inflate and having the SMB so close to me whilst inflating it. I know others get on just fine with them, but I just can't get on with it. I have one of the DSS 1M SMBs that I love - it's not ideal for all weather, but so small and easy to use it's great

April 5th, 2007, 09:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lou(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bucks Posts: 195	Quote: (Originally Posted by neilh) I've got a Halcyon suit inflate one that personally I don't get on with. I just don't like disconnecting my suit inflate and having the SMB so close to me whilst inflating it. I know others get on just fine with them, but I just can't get on with it. I have one of the DSS 1M SMBs that I love - it's not ideal for all weather, but so small and easy to use it's great I'd never buy the Narked@60 one again - collects water and acts as a big old sea anchor.....

April 6th, 2007, 11:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
stach (Online) New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: belgium Posts: 78	it seems like that i'm not alone with the 'grr crapy dsmb' (can also be part of lack of skills from my side)

April 6th, 2007, 02:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
LCF(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 625	I've used four different ones, one cheapy from my original LDS, one I think is Trident, one Zeagle, and one Halcyon, and unfortunately, I think the Halcyon one is the best. It can be orally inflated or inflated from the suit hose. It has a dump valve, which makes it easy to deflate and stow. The inflator doesn't require that you push it against your teeth to admit air, which I like, and it seems a little easier to get my cold, numb lips sealed around it.

April 6th, 2007, 06:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
cmalinowski(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Columbia, MD--USA Posts: 175	Quote: (Originally Posted by LCF) I've used four different ones, one cheapy from my original LDS, one I think is Trident, one Zeagle, and one Halcyon, and unfortunately, I think the Halcyon one is the best. It can be orally inflated or inflated from the suit hose. It has a dump valve, which makes it easy to deflate and stow. The inflator doesn't require that you push it against your teeth to admit air, which I like, and it seems a little easier to get my cold, numb lips sealed around it. Agreed. I did like the look of the DSS 1m one (tapered at the top) and almost bought one but I happened to be at Haclyon shop one day and picked up the halcyon. It's very easy to inflate and let go. I never use my suit inflator for it. The only real complaint I have about it is that the bungee that holds it all together is on the wrong side. You have to put on and take off the bungee over the inflator. Not a big deal, but small things do add up and if you're diving with no gloves, then your pruny little hands might get nicked on the inflator... 99% of my dives are with gloves, so no big deal there for me Chris

April 6th, 2007, 07:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
boomer(Offline) New Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 30	I have the Halcyon large DAM and Lift bag and love them both. But I have no idea how after an afternnon of diving it is filled with water. nOt alot but enought to question how it got in there. This happens even when they are not even deployed. Brian